Gridiron's Week Seven

Week Six In Review

It was Old School Smash Mouth Football between neighborhood rivals Nanaimo District and John Barsby
Friday Night! 

This was a big week that saw a new number one emerge provincially and divisional races heat-up! The big news is my new number one.  The Vernon Panthers! It has been a singular pleasure watching the rise of this program since 2011.  The Panthers have compiled a series of consecutive winning seasons at JV and Varsity and each year have fielded a more complete unit than the previous season. This team/program has great depth and I believe, may be the first Interior/North team to run the table since the old Kam High Red Devils of yore.  That is saying a lot, because we are talking three decades and change here!!  Keep an eye on these guys, Vegas is going wild on em.  Up north, the Prince George Polars set the stage for a first place showdown with divisional powerhouse Duchess Park by steamrolling to a second consecutive lopsided win over Nechako Valley.  I'd love to have a seat at Masich Park to watch this one go down!  Pitt Meadows, down three starters up-front, hammered its way to a 14-0 shutout of Robert Bateman.  This puts the Marauders in position to challenge the resident Lords of the East Conference Mission Roadrunners for first place in that gritty division.  Mission had a stellar first half vs G.W. Graham building a 26-0 lead and coasting to a 26-6 win over the Grizzlies.  I now think I may have to sit back at GI's HQ and watch live drone feeds of the big game up north and this one come the weekend.  The Southern Conference which looked to be a bit of a bust a short two weeks ago now has signs of fight with Hugh Boyd racking impressive wins this week and last.  The Trojans have a HUGE face-off versus the Frank Hurt Hornets next week and again, time to send-up another drone to get some real-time video this tilt.  Exciting as hec I say!  Out West, Argyle earned itself a program milestone by defeating  a varsity Windsor squad for the first time in program history.  The Pipers are licking their chops for a crack at Barsby next Friday and a second big milestone.  In Nanaimo, the Islanders and Bulldogs squared off in a superb, physical contest Friday night.  The score was close for three quarters before roster depth and fatigue had its say.  A lot of mutual respect was earned at the 2014 Ray Kocher Classic football game.

Vernon HC Coach Smith speaks with Howard Tsmurra: http://blogs.theprovince.com/2014/10/16/podcast-varsity-letters-is-back-with-sfu-hoops-and-new-west-vernon-football-previews/

Week 6 Scores

Monday

Prince George 30 Correlieu 6

Friday

Vernon 53 Valleyview 7
Pitt Meadows 14 Robert Bateman 0
Argyle 21 Windsor 7
Clarence Fulton 48 Salmon Arm 22
Prince George 40 Nechako Valley 0
John Barsby 39 Nanaimo District 6
Mission 26 G.W. Graham 6
Hugh Boyd 38 Moscrop 6
Kelley Road 60 College Heights 10
Vernon 53 Valleyview 7
Abbottsford 63 Samuel Roberts 0

Saturday

Carson Graham 40  Sentinel 6
Seaquam 33 Holy Cross 25


GI's Top 5

1. Vernon Panthers
2. Mission Roadrunners
3. John Barsby Bulldogs
4. Ballenas Whalers
5. Carson Graham Eagles

Honourable Mention

Argyle Pipers, Pitt Meadows Marauders, Duchess Park Condors, Hugh Boyd Trojans, Abbottsford Panthers

GI's Picks

Tuesday

Correlieu @ Duchess Park:  This game will be a great tune-up for the Condors heading into a short week of practice before the big game vs PGSS.  Time to get some bugs out of the system, roll the bench good and get focused on the task ahead.  GI's Pick: Black and Gold by 42

Friday

Sentinel @ Nanaimo District:  I really like the match-ups here!  This game should go down to the wire.  Having seen both teams in action, the aerial dogfight should be reminiscent of The Battle Of Britain!  On the ground it is going to be fast and furious.  The Sentinel run defense is very good and it will have to be as the Islander run game is sneaky fast.  GI's Pick: Islanders by 2

Pitt Meadows @ Mission: If this game could be played exclusively between the hash marks I'd call it a complete toss-up.  It won't be however, and this is problematic for Pitt as they face the most dynamic player in AA Varsity play.  There will be some good banging for sure and Mission will be tested physically on defense, but the Marauders will have as much chance of tracking down the Mission athlete as they would chasing a laser pointer around the field.  GI's Pick: Mission by 21

Salmon Arm @ Vernon:  How many consecutive weeks can Vernon hang fifty plus points on its opponent?  Not sure, but add this one to the total. The Panthers are surging in every phase of the game and may kick-it into an even higher gear on Friday.  GI's Pick: Vernon by 41

Earl Marriot @ Robert Bateman:  The Timberwolves are looking to reclaim some lost momentum and the Mariners are just what the doctor ordered.   This game will be a track-meet in an autumn setting. GI's Pick: Bateman by 30 plus

Seaquam @ Moscrop: If you are looking for some wide-open football entertainment, gaze no further than this tilt.  Both teams like to open it up offensively, both have surrendered a lot of points to date, and both squads are evenly matched.  Football is fun in such scenarios.  GI's Pick: Moscrop by 4

Argyle@ John Barsby: This battle between undefeateds will likely be just that, a battle.  Both teams are run-pass balanced and both teams play a physical brand of defense.  I give the edge up front to Argyle and a small special teams edge to Barsby.  Two years ago these rosters met at JV producing one of the most epic games I have ever seen.  Barsby got by with some trickery against some inexperience.  That inexperience no longer exists.  This game will be close. GI's Pick: Barsby by 3

Kelley Road @ Nechako Valley:  The Roadrunners can well, run, run, run the football.  They are bigger, stronger and faster than their hosts.  GI's Pick: Roadrunners by 19

Prince George @ Duchess Park: The Polars have made huge strides this year in all phases of the game.  The roster is experienced and the second most physical/talented in the North Division. Problem for them is the fact that they are playing the most physical/talented group in the division. Duchess is hungry for a test and I am sure that no one on the squad is looking past cross-town rival PGSS.  GI's Pick: Condors by 18

Valleyview @ Westsyde: Tough one to call.  I picked against Westsyde a couple weeks back and they served me crowe on a platter.  Valleyview is coming off of a nightmare game vs Vernon and is likely a bit tenderized.  GI's Pick: Westsyde by 3

Abbottsford @ G.W. Graham:  This is going to be fun, fun, fun and quite frankly, drone-worthy.  These teams always play each other tough and a playoff seed is on the line.  There are great match-ups across the board and contrasting styles of play.  The fans will be out in droves and the pads a cracking.  GI's Pick: Grizzlies by 2

Frank Hurt @ Hugh Boyd: This is probably the best Hugh Boyd squad since the middle of the first decade of the 2000's.  There is momentum and importantly, experience and roster depth.  The Hornets have sustained a decent level of play the past several years and are on track for more of the same. The Trojan Defense will be the difference maker on Friday.  GI's Pick: Trojans by 8

Rick Hansen @ Samuel Roberts: SRT is coming off of a nightmare defensive outing vs Abbey and could very well get fed more of the same by the Hurricanes on Friday.  Hansen put up points against a very good Mission team earlier this season and has had a bye week to prepare.  GI's Pick: Hansen by 33

Saturday

South Kamloops @ Clarence Fulton: The Maroons seem to be finding their offensive and defensive selves.  South Kamloops is a bit of an enigma.  GI's Pick: Fulton by 12

Windsor @ Ballenas: This is an intriguing game.  Windsor can throw the ball pretty well and Ballenas defensively, has found it's 2014 defensive struggles to be in that area.  Offensively, the Ballenas offensive line continues to be amongst the best in AA.  This bodes well for late fall games on grass and in the weather.  Special teams are a toss-up. GI's Pick: Ballenas by 14

Handsworth (AAA) @ Carson Graham: The Buchannan Bowl has not been derailed by the events of 2014.  Good!  This rivalry game will be another dandy.  Carson has the deeper roster and is really hitting its stride.  Look for a big day on the ground for the Eagles.  GI's Pick: Carson by 7


AA JV

GI's Top 5

1. G.W. Graham
2. Abbottsford
3. Mission
4. Duchess Park
5. Ballenas

Gridiron\s Week Six

AA Varsity Week Six

Much was revealed this past weekend in tilts across the province.  In the East it looks like Pitt has secured the inside track to at least the number two seed which is going to put Grizzlies and Panthers into a collision course for a 3-4 seed determining dust-up.  Out West, Ballenas took a big step towards solidifying a number two seed with a solid run based victory over Nanaimo District.  Carson Graham served notice that they are playing for all the marbles with a decisive win over Windsor. The Vernon Panthers and Duchess Park Condors won convincingly again in Interior/Northern Play.  Both teams appear to be "The Real Deal".  The South is also taking shape with Frank Hurt and Hugh Boyd playing statement games!  I dined on some crowe for sure with the Hornets defeating the Crusaders!  More Crowe served-up on Saturday as well with the Westsyde crew earning a big feather in their caps en-route to taking down the Clarence Fulton Maroons.  You just never know what is going to happen these days in AA Varsity Ball!


Scores

John Barsby Bulldogs 37 Sentinel 0
Ballenas Whalers 62 Nanaimo District Islanders 24
Vernon Panthers 55 South Kamloops Titans 16
Pitt Meadows Marauders 27 G.W. Graham Grizzlies 26
Duchess Park Condors 42 Nechako Valley Vikings 8
Robert Bateman 35 Samuel Roberts Technical Titans 6
Mission 52-Rick Hansen 26
Hugh Boyd 22-Seaquam 7
Frank Hurt 19-Holy Cross 18
Westsyde 32-Clarence Fulton 30

GI's Top Five

1. John Barsby Bulldogs
2. Mission Roadrunners
3. Vernon Panthers
4. Carson Graham Eagles
5. Argyle Pipers

Honourable Mention

Ballenas Whalers, Duchess Park Condors, Holy Cross Crusaders, Pitt Meadows Marauders

GI's Picks

Friday

John Barsby @ Nanaimo District: This game features two offenses that have found an appreciation for the forward pass in 2014.  Last week they combined for over 70 attempts and 8 TD's via the air vs their respective opponents.  I see no reason for this pattern to change looking at the rosters!  Another big byline is the fact that many players on both rosters have competed against one another since age 10.  This will be the final tilt between the two groups of Sr.'s before they graduate and hopefully become teammates on some future next level squad.  Win or lose, the football experience has been richer for having one another to play.  GI's Pick: Barsby by 20

Valleyview @ Vernon: This could be Vernon's biggest test in divisional play.  The Panthers have the dominant roster and depth at all positions however and should pound their way into the endzone frequently enough to be leading big by mid-third quarter.  GI's Pick: Panthers by 27

Pitt Meadows @ Robert Bateman:  This game will be fairly close for the first half and then the Pitt running game will assert itself physically and on the scoreboard.  Look for a few trick plays by Bateman early on to try to even things out, but |I just don't see a W on their horizon come Friday. GI's Pick: Pitt by 17

Argyle @ Windsor: Green field, green uniforms, a splash of yellow....no, we are not calling this the Acorn Squash Bowl.  This would have been one of this season's "toss-up" games had not the Windsor QB suffered an unfortunate setback vs Carson this past weekend.   This said, both teams are very, very well coached and match-up pretty well at key positions.  Roster depth and overall size go to Argyle and this, combined with a healthy roster will be decisive as the Pipers look to secure their first win against the Varsity Dukes in program history.  Windsor will keep the game close defensively and I see a few interceptions on the horizon for this unit.  Won't be enough.  GI's Pick: Argyle by 12

Westsyde @ South Kamloops: The Titans have historically dominated this game and this will be a new chapter in that book.  Look for lots of scores via the air and ground come Friday.  GI's Pick: South Kamloops by 23

Kelly Road @ College Heights: Good match-up Friday in PG. I like the Roadrunner run game in this one to be decisive.  GI's Pick: Kelly Road by 14

Clarence Fulton @ Salmon Arm: The Maroons are getting better week to week.  They will need to be on top of things as they travel to play the always tough Salmon Arm squad.  GI's Pick: Golds by 6

Nechako Valley @ Prince George:  Prince George had a pretty good JV season in 2013 and it will now really start gaining traction.  Look for the Polars to assert themselves physically en route to a big W for the program.  GI's Pick: PG by 13

Samuel Roberts @ Abbottsford:  SRT is just plain outmatched at every position and in terms of roster depth.  Abbottsford is rounding into playoff form and is playing in front of the home fans.  GI's Pick: Abbey by 22

Mission @ G.W. Graham:  There will be a very, very big crowd on hand for this game.  Graham varsity has existed in Mission's shaddow since the inception of the Grizzly program.  It is no secret in the Valley or the rest of the province for that matter that the natural challenger to Mission in terms of being the top-rail program out that way is G.W. Graham.  These players know each other and it comes down to a one shot deal for Grizzly redemption.  Graham has all the pieces to pull off an upset.  Big question, can they prepare thoroughly enough and sustain the focus and effort upsetwhat is possibly BC's best AA squad?  I am not betting on it. GI's Pick: Roadrunners by 26

Saturday

Carson Graham @ Sentinel: This game will be very physical up front and will come down to who has the most consistent running game.  Both teams pass and defend the pass quite well.  Carson wins the roster depth game hands down and in my opinion, can run the ball better.  Look for things to be close for a quarter and then the game to be broken wide open in the second.  GI's Pick: Carson by 31

Seaquam @ Holy Cross: I like the Crusaders in this one.  They are in better shape and they can pound the ball much more effectively than their opponents.  Holy Cross is beginning to round into playoff form and this will be demonstrated in convincing fashion come Saturday.  GI's Pick: Crusaders by 21

AA JV Rankings

1. G.W. Graham Grizzlies
2. Abbottsford Panthers
3. Mission Roadrunners
4. Duchess Park Condors
5. John Barsby Bulldogs

Honourable Mention

Ballenas Whalers, Vernon Panthers, Seaquam Seahawks, Carson Graham Eagles

Grid Iron's Picks Week Five

Here We Go!

Well, well, the strike is over and the week 4 ripple to follow has ended.  We are back at er in earnest now and this is good, very, very good.  I am going to start this thing small, and see how the energies flow.  At some point, there will be a piece on the whole thing we just went through, along with some other thoughts on the state of High School Football as a whole.  It would seem that there are some long-term concerns/distractions, but I digress.

GI's AA Varsity Top Five

1. John Barsby Bulldogs: The Dawgs have a ferocious defense and are quite balanced offensively.  Special teams are better than average as well.  There is roster numbers and as the season unfolds, increasing depth as a large group of players who are new to the game, gain experience.  I think week to week the Dawgs need to get more of the #2's on the field before I am convinced another run at the big game is a big possibility.  There will be an increasing number of tests for this crew in the remaining weeks of the regular season.  People bring their A game against Barsby and there are some very, very good teams that could ruin an otherwise perfect Dawg Day afternoon!

2. Mission Roadrunners: The best pure athlete in AA ball resides here.  What makes him scary is that his technical ability matches the athleticism.  What makes this team scary is the outstanding supporting cast, the fact they have all been in the same system since they first put on a HS uniform and the terrific coaching.   Two years ago, the JV Roadrunners didn't come close to faltering en-route to a BC Championship.  The JV's will be on hand to add an extra push come mid-playoff tourney. Look out BC!!

3. Vernon Panthers: Perhaps the most complete roster in all of AA ball.  Vernon has been a consistent winner for the past three seasons and in my opinion, this is the best team it has fielded in program history.  This could be a team playing in the big game come December!

4. Abbottsford Panthers: Abbey is getting better week to week and is can match-up against all comers in terms of roster size and depth.

5. Argyle Pipers: Breakthrough year for Argyle. Loaded with talent and playing consistent, aggressive and opportunistic ball.  Lots of scores off of turnovers! They have yet to encounter the meat of their schedule, but have the horses to ride through it.

Honourable Mention/On The Horizon (in no particular order)

Carson Graham Eagles: These guys looked dang good against Ballenas for three quarters.  Once the cobwebs are gone, the Eagles will surely soar!

Pitt Meadows Marauders: This is a group of tough-nuts who like to run the football rain or shine. Their defense is a reflection of the offensive mentality and there is good size up front.  Come the rains of November, they will be tough.

Duchess Park Condors: Now a seasoned program, the Black and Gold is ascendent!  Perhaps the second best squad north of Hope.

Holy Cross Crusaders: The Crusaders are tough, making progress and will peak entering the playoffs.

Ballenas Whalers: A bit short benched, but in possession of one of the elite offensive lines in AA Varsity ball. This crew will improve week-to-week.

Windsor Dukes: I can't wait to see what emerges out of the mists of North Van this year.  It will be a green crew for all of a week and then improve possibly faster than any other crew in the province thereafter.

GW Graham Grizzlies: These guys have it all.  Can they put the puzzle together for a playoff run?

Sentinel Spartans: Big, tough dudes up front.  A massive improvement over 2013 in all positions.

GI's Picks

Friday

Sentinel @ John Barsby:  Both teams are coming off of a bye and would appear to be healthy at this juncture.  Sentinel was a couple turnovers and some field position away from upsetting arch rival and budding powerhouse Arglyle two weeks ago.  Barsby, played its most complete game of the season against Ballenas.  The size advantage in this game goes to the Spartans.  They have a hyper aggressive pair of defensive ends that can take over a game if given the chance.  Numbers and experience go to Barsby along with home field advantage.  GI's Pick: Barsby by 16 in a tighter contest than many may expect.

Windsor @ Carson Graham:  Carson has one more game under their belt than the Dukes.  The difference between playing game 1 and game 2 is manifest for most HS teams.  Coach Schuman mitigates that somewhat, but not enough to prevail in this one.  I think turnovers and big plays offensively will rule the day in Eagle Land.  GI's Pick: Eagles by 16

Nanaimo District @ Ballenas:  The Islanders usually play Ballenas pretty tough.  The true difference in this game is going to be the Whaler Offensive Line.  One of the best in BC, this crew will be plowing the way for several blue collar type running backs.  I like the backfield speed and talent at receiver for Nanaimo, but this will be a slower, dirt track come Friday.  GI's Pick: Whalers by 22

S.R.T. @ Robert Bateman:  Batemen get the edge in experience to date this season.  S.R.T. will still be working out the kinks when they run into a hungry Timberwolf squad eager to secure a divisional playoff seed.  Too much for the Titans to handle too early.  GI's Pick: Bateman by 24

Vernon @ South Kamloops: South Kamloops is playing its toughest game of the regular season come Friday.  The offensive juggernaut of the Panthers will be supported by a superb run-stopping defense. Roster depth most certainly goes to Vernon.  GI's Pick: Vernon by 26

Valleyview @ Salmon Arm: Intriguing.  Tough to tell what Salmon Arm will bring to the table in 2014.  Valleyview is several years into its offense and has roster continuity.  I have to give a tip of the hat to the Vikings in this one based on what I know.  GI's Pick: Valleyview by 10 in a game where both coaches will be stomping on their hats over turnovers.

Duchess Park @ Nechako Valley:  This used to be a prime match-up in the Northern Conference. Right now, it seems that Duchess Park has no rival at the top of the heap in their division.  By ground and air I see this as a big one on the scoreboard.  GI's Pick: Duchess by 26

G.W. Graham @ Pitt Meadows: Game of the week in my books.  The match-ups up front are superb and the team speed is similar.  Graham has to play their most complete game of the year to have a legit shot at winning though.  I think Pitt has been more on top of their game and can pound the ball offensively inside the tackles as good as anyone in the province.  Defensively, stopping the big play via the air will be job one for the Marauders (love that team nickname!!).  GI's Pick: Pitt by 9

Saturday

Westsyde @ Clarence Fulton: The Maroons have owned this game since the last glaciation and I see no reason for them relinquish their dominance.  This will be a run heavy game that sees Fulton pull away by mid-second quarter.  GI's Pick: Fulton by 19

Holy Cross @ Frank Hurt:  Holy Cross is a solid squad all around and will be one everyone should keep an eye on come weeks 8, 9 and 10 this season.  They truly "Get Better" week-to-week. Divisional rival Frank Hurt will have its hands full defensively and fine that it is tough sledding trying to run the football.  Rain on Saturday will make things all the more difficult.  GI's Pick: Crusaders by 19

Hugh Boyd @ Seaquam: Big game already for both teams in terms of playoff seeding.  Seaquam can score alright, but keeping opponents off of the board has been problematic.  Boyd gives up size up front in this contest, but has a slight edge in team speed.  The Seahawks have much more playing experience this year than the Trojans.  If Troy can spy the screen game and prevent the deep pass, this will be tight indeed.  GI's Pick: Boyd by 4


AA JV Rankings

AA Top 5

1. G.W. Graham Grizzlies
2. Abbottsford Panthers
3. Mission Roadrunners
4. Duchess Park Condors
5. John Barsby Bulldogs

Honourable Mention

Ballenas Whalers, Seaquam Seahawks, Carson Graham Eagles

Choices

If You Are Up Against THE CHARTER OF 

RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS



...you got...

Take The Test BC!

A Challenge To All British Columbians!

TAKE THE TEST:

1) What is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Who does it protect? Is there a dollar value on it? 3 marks

2) Who's responsibility is it to provide a Free Education to all of the school aged children in BC under the School Act which is the LAW OF BC. 1 mark

3) Are the BC Liberals respecting, avoiding, violating or spurning the above?
Bonus 4 marks

4) Will the Canada you live in today be the same Canada the Charter Of Rights and Freedoms is violated/ignored by the BC Liberal Government?

(the enduring question!!)

Questions 1 and 2: No opinion or editorial required . Just answer the questions posed.

Please answer and share your answer folks.

Tweet and Share This Test via Social Media!  Do Your Part To Help Your Province/Country!

The Game

Thoughts....

Watched a high school football game this past Friday. It struck me as ironic in that it is such an honest place, that football field. Two teams competing within the rules and measuring themselves against one another as individuals and a team. Brains, effort and teamwork won-out. Merit, on a level playing field won. One of the last, best, true places in our society is such a contest, whatever the sport. 

In British Columbia, our BC Liberal Government could never abide by such a scenario. They would have insisted on rules that predetermined the outcome of the game. They would have locked-up the referee's decision making by ignoring it and appealing their rulings. They would have rigged the PA announcer to skew all commentary in their favor and made the deeds of the opponent moot through filtering/biased editorial. They would have locked-out the opposing team from its practice field and paid its parents to stay away. Finally, it would have attempted to starve its opponent into submitting to the predetermined outcome by withholding the means to access food and shelter, all the while berating them for holding up the game. As the BC Liberal opponent struggled valiantly on the field of play, the BC Liberal Head Coach and her assistants would gloat, taunt and cry foul at every turn. They would reference rules that they made-up and minimize at every turn the calls for fair play, by the rules, for the kids. 

I think something neat may be happening in this scenario. You see, the opponent of the BC Liberals kept playing hard and honest, they stuck together and did not falter. Slowly, and with ever gathering power, the onlooking crowd, witnessing this farce, began to take note and make their voices heard. The PA announcer was drowned-out and his commentary ridiculed. The referee's found courage from the crowd's voice and inspiration from the BC Liberal opponent's courage, conviction and integrity. Calls were made for an honest head referee to officiate the game, to make calls that both teams had to live by. The BC Liberal squad refused this, saying their "fixed process" and "predetermined outcome were too important to be left to referees. At this point, the crowd too felt humiliated and marginalized. They now saw this as a fraud being perpetrated by the BC Liberal Coach and her staff. They decided to intervene on behalf of the BC Liberal opponent, they took to the field and would not let the game continue, demanding with one voice that it would be shut down until the rules were obeyed, the game officiated fairly, and the outcome respected on merit and reason. Generally, they Struck for honesty, process and to ensure that future games would always be played on a level playing field, for their Sons and Daughters, Brothers and Sisters, were next on the BC Liberal schedule...

The Strike

The BCTF/BC Liberal Dispute Is Affecting Football

I don't normally get political here, but these ain't normal times and political is affecting "here!"

The views expressed below are one's I agree with.  I am a member of no party.  If you do not like them, simply click away from this blog....I believe that we are at a historical turning point in terms of what kind of BC/Canada we will all be living in sooner rather than later.

A lot of coaches are BCTF members.  Their voice doesn't get through the Mainstream Media Filters.   I don't speak for them.  They own their own souls.  Perhaps however, some of this resonates to them...or you, whoever you are "out-there".

Gridiron

There is a lot of folks asking "why can they not just come to a deal".  Obviously, simplistic explanations are not useful.  The below read may prove useful however.  From Christian Obeck @cobeck123

End Quote

Some context from CBC Radio

http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/bcearlyedition_20140829_46449.mp3

Some Context From Madame Justice Griffith

In her January 28th 2014 ruling, Madam Justice Susan Griffin wrote:
(Paragraph numbers in parentheses)

[545] I have also found that while government is entitled to state its policy and fiscal objectives by way of mandates for bargaining given to PSEC and BCPSEA, I note that the protection of s. 2(d) Charter rights means that it must not draw the parameters of those objectives so narrowly that it means that the employer will not consider the BCTF representations in good faith. This would make it effectively impossible for the BCTF to attempt to influence workplace goals.

[564] This means that as of April 13, 2012, the laws declared unconstitutional in the Bill 28 Decision were no longer in effect from the date of their enactment. For clarity, an additional declaration to this effect is made in the Bill 28 Action as part of the application by the BCTF for additional remedies in that action.

[565] The result is that as of April 13, 2012, the BCTF had the right to engage in collective bargaining over the Working Conditions; it also means that as of July 2002 the Working Conditions clauses were returned to the collective agreement between the BCTF and BCPSEA. All, of course, later subject to the provisions of Bill 22 being brought into force the next day and this Court’s findings regarding the constitutionality of those provisions.

A reasonable conclusion is that Para's 545/565 mean that the gov't yet again is bargaining in bad faith.

Now, some thoughts about the BC Liberal Rhetoric/Tactics we have all been subjected to. Things are really going to heat-up now.  Time for some critical thinking about what is spewed forth:

 Critical Thinking/Listening: You are all going to see more of the following from BC Liberal Leadership on Down during the current "Debate". It is about distorting and attacking ideas, individuals and organizations (BCTF) by going on the attack:

".... It is better to score points than to engage in actual arguments, in other words, "to score points while avoiding debate."..Further, "Point scoring works because most audience members fail to analyze what they hear. Rather, they register only a key few points, and form a vague 'impression' of whose argument was stronger."

"Part of the strategy is to recycle the same claims over and again, in as many settings as possible. 'If people hear something often enough,' ....it would seem 'they come to believe it."

Further..."'Creating negative connotations by name calling is done to try to get the audience to reject a person or idea on the basis of negative associations, without allowing a real examination of that person or idea,"

Lastly, .."they use the opposite of name calling with glittering generalities like "Affordability, Families First", "Get Back to the Table", "Get a Negotiated Deal", "available 24-7" and Fassbender's favorite "I'm a Grandpa".

Sound Familiar Anyone? It should to anyone with a moderate understanding of 20th Century History........This was precisely the tactic developed by the Nazi Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, which he called "the big lie."  It worked then and it works now, especially if used in a funded, coordinated fashion.

I would submit to you the following:

The BC Liberal Govt. wants the court case to be annulled via an agreement with teachers that replaces it. Essentially, they conducted a theft of the Charter Rights of 40, 000 plus citizens, were convicted twice, are appealing, will likely lose and want the victim to to say "OK, I will validate your theft by negotiating about it and let you keep a major chunk of the proceeds"...also, in the future, the cookbook for quasi-fascist government will be to conduct an illegal act, make the other side broke by trying endlessly it in the courts (if they even have the resources to get there) and then wait-em out til they cave. The broken shell of the victim shall stand in the way no more...rights of the people? What rights? If the Charter Of Rights and Freedoms is sick/under assault, so is this thing called Canada as we know it.  This is really, really bad.

By the way, dollars do not trump Charter Rights in any instance. If you believe so, brown shirts, the club, censorship, book burning, forced exile, gulags, informants and secret police are the tools of your trade...all because you have no argument to advance of your own by lawful, liberal democratic means. This may sound extreme, but it is the time honoured and proven path of regimes/groups who do not honour the law...ie: Charter of Rights and Freedoms".

Affordability? Listen through this:

Finally, if you are a BC Liberal or one of their supporters out there (and there are overwhelmingly many, many, good, thoughtful people among these two groups), think long and hard about not questioning your leadership as they march you over the historical cliff...  You will be painted by your leadership's brush with this debacle for years to come.  You will own it when they are long, long gone.